Results 3,961-3,980 of 24,308 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Health Services (24 Nov 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank the Cathaoirleach for picking this very important topic. I welcome the Minister of State and thank him for being here and also wish him well. I commend his work on his brief so far. He has been very proactive and I commend him on the work he has done in terms of sexual health and sexual well-being. The sexual health strategy is so important. Next Wednesday, 1 December, is World...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Health Services (24 Nov 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. The Fast-Track Cities initiative, which he mentioned, is an important part of what we are trying to achieve in our fight against HIV and AIDS. The interesting thing is that the funding has been approved, notwithstanding the remarks of the Minister of State. The key point I want to make is there is a need to have a resolution to the post being...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 Nov 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I support Senator Seery Kearney in her demand for the issue to be dealt with as a matter of urgency. I have repeatedly asked about this matter and I am tempted to table an amendment to the Order of Business that we would have a debate in this House on Covid. It is of such importance that we cannot just have commentary by media and sound bites. As Members of the Upper House, we need a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Irish Aviation Authority: Chairperson Designate (24 Nov 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I will not get involved in this inter aliadispute. I welcome Ms Hynes and Mr. Ó Conghaile to the meeting. Ms Hynes's suitability for appointment is not in question and I wish her well in her role. She is aware of the committee's overarching discussion with Mr. Geoghegan, who appeared before the committee regarding his reappointment. The issue of sustainability is a huge challenge and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Irish Aviation Authority: Chairperson Designate (24 Nov 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: The unsustainably low level of charges was raised at the committee recently by Mr. Geoghegan. The important point is that there is an implication for the rebuilding of connectivity in a post-Covid world. There needs to some economic regulatory function in that regard. It is fair to say there is much unhappiness and disquiet regarding the Bill that is coming through the Seanad. I have...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Irish Aviation Authority: Chairperson Designate (24 Nov 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I do not mind which one of the witnesses answers.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Irish Aviation Authority: Chairperson Designate (24 Nov 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I appreciate Mr. Ó Conghaile's professionalism, sincerity and qualifications. There is a culture within the IAA. He has seen the emails that we have got and he has been involved in different engagements. I have known some pilots and air traffic controllers in my school days and since becoming a politician. They are not normally given to agitation. Will that culture change as a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Irish Aviation Authority: Chairperson Designate (24 Nov 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: Will the proposed corporate structure of the IAA bring about a change of culture in terms of the staff well-being, engagement and safety?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Irish Aviation Authority: Chairperson Designate (24 Nov 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: Ms Hynes's qualifications are exemplary and second to none. I have every faith in her. In her capacity as chairperson, she will need to take a hands-on approach to drive this change to bring staff with her. It is unusual for someone like Kieran Mulvey to be appointed in the way he was. Given her personal and professional background, Ms Hynes is eminently qualified. Given the importance...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Irish Aviation Authority: Chairperson Designate (24 Nov 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I will conclude on this. Is there confusion over who regulates non-commercial operations with complex motor-powered aircraft, NCC, in Ireland? There seems to be an ongoing issue over whether it is part of the European safety agency. I ask for clarity on that please. Finally, I thank Ms Hynes for being here. She has my full support. I believe she is eminently qualified. I again appeal...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Irish Aviation Authority: Chairperson Designate (24 Nov 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: That is not in question. I am saying that pilots and others feel disconnected and removed from the decision-making process. They feel no one is listening to them or engaging with them. That is the point I am making.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Irish Aviation Authority: Chairperson Designate (24 Nov 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: Can Mr. Ó Conghaile answer the question about the NCC operations?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Irish Aviation Authority: Chairperson Designate (24 Nov 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: There is a vote upcoming in the Seanad. My apologies for having to leave the meeting earlier. I ask Mr. Ó Conghaile to address my request for clarification in the context of the IAA and the responsibility for aeronautical data. I refer to the issue of who regulates non-commercial operations with complex motor-powered aircraft, NCC, in operations in Ireland. Memorandum No. 22, issued...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Irish Aviation Authority: Chairperson Designate (24 Nov 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I apologise to Mr. Ó Conghaile. I have to go to a vote and cannot stay for his reply. I will get the transcript of the proceedings. I would appreciate it if he were to reply to my question. I will be following the broadcast of the proceedings.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: An Post: Chairperson Designate (24 Nov 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I welcome our witnesses and thank them for their attendance today. I join with colleagues in commending the work of An Post staff, including our postmasters, during the pandemic. They were absolutely wonderful. Ms Bolger has served on the board of An Post since 2017 and I am happy to support her nomination as chairman today. The CEO, Mr. McRedmond, commented earlier this week on the EU...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: An Post: Chairperson Designate (24 Nov 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: Mr. McRedmond defended the handling charge when he spoke with Claire Byrne yesterday. He also spoke about the price of stamps potentially increasing again next year. I understand the difficulties around transport inflation. I also accept that there is a need to invest in good infrastructure and in that context, I commend An Post on the roll-out of electronic vehicles in Cork recently. It...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: An Post: Chairperson Designate (24 Nov 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: No, but he alluded to it, in fairness.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: An Post: Chairperson Designate (24 Nov 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: My final question relates to the future viability of our post offices and our postmasters. This committee has done some work on this issue previously. Senator Carrigy in particular has done a lot of work in this area and has championed the cause of post offices and postmasters. What is Ms Bolger's rallying call to the postmasters and post offices around the country?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: An Post: Chairperson Designate (24 Nov 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: I ask Ms Bolger to explain what she means by government services and to outline the engagement An Post has had with the Government to date.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: An Post: Chairperson Designate (24 Nov 2021)

Jerry Buttimer: During the pandemic, we have seen the importance of our post office network. We saw what happened with the banks leaving rural Ireland. In many places the post office has also left because you cannot get postmasters to come in and replace outgoing or retiring postmasters. That is something we need to have a real conversation about. I thank Ms Bolger and her staff. I have another...